Hired Love
Chapter 34

"So how was the fair yesterday? Heather asked, changing the subject.

"Neat, grandma." Olivia started excitedly. "Roman and Aunt Stacy bought me lots to eat, and we played so many games and I even got to ride that big round moving thing. And then Roman beat Aunt Claire's boyfriend at one game and won me the hugest teddy bear ever."

"Olivia!" Claire scolded.

"Let the little girl talk, Claire. It's rude to interrupt." Aunt Emma said in a stern that didn't sound anything close to ladylike, rolling her eyes. "Well, she should stop saying things that aren't true."

"How so?" Aunt Phoebe looked to Stacy. "Stacy honey, is Olivia telling a lie?"

"Are you calling me a liar?" The look on Olivia's face was one no five year old should have been able to don as well as she did. "Aunt Stacy?"

Stacy gazed at her sister. This was going to be fun. "I'm not surprised you're defending your boyfriend. You also wiped his tears away when Roman beat him at the high striker."

The twins burst out laughing. Benjamin was howling. "No way! That's a game for like "

"Little girls!" Benedict finished.

"Stop it, you guys." Mitch said though he was laughing. Stacy snorted. He'd laughed the most.

"But you have to admit," Aunt Phoebe added not so quietly with a chuckle. "It is pretty funny."

On a normal day, Stacy would've probably felt sorry for Matt. She hated being made fun of and made it a mental note to never put anyone in that situation, but that was exactly it; Matt had made a fool out of her, and he deserved everything he got. His face was priceless. He was probably praying for the ground to open up and swallow him. Matt had never been outspoken, so it was no wonder he wasn't saying anything in his defense. Not like there was much to savage from his already weak reputation, pun intended.

"Whatever. It was a stupid game anyway," Claire muttered, her chin ridiculously high in the air.

Next to Stacy, Roman snorted.

"Sure, Aunt Claire." Olivia said in a mocking tone. "Suuuree."

Laughter spread round the table again. It was even funnier because she had soy sauce all over her mouth. The twins were barely holding in their laughter behind the close fists pressed to their mouths. George was howling so much he couldn't sit still. Not even when Aunt Emma hit him on the shoulder.

"That's enough, Olivia." Heather said, though she was sporting a small smile. "That's not very nice."

"She called me a liar, grandma. I wasn't trying to be nice."

Stacy smiled, rubbing the little girl on the head. She was going to grow up to be a very beautiful opinionated, outspoken woman. Stacy only hoped Benjamin wouldn't have to kill too many boys once she got to that age.

"I think you need to stop spending time with your uncle. He's a bad influence on you." Aunt Emma told her, reaching out to take a slice of pancakes from her husband's plate even though hers was still full.

"I'll have you know, mom, that I'm a freaking delight and your other son is a buffoon. If anything, she should be living with me." Benedict said.

Benjamin checked to see if Olivia was watching before flipping him off. "You're a moron, is what you are."

"Oh God." Aunt Emma rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "You boys bicker way too much. I wish I'd had girls."

"Good luck with that." Heather answered, rolling her eyes.

Stacy sighed, sharing a glance with Roman. His expression told her he understood what had happened. He offered her a small smile.

"Don't think about it too much. You'll be fine." He said softly, grabbing her hand under the table. "If it's any consolation, you were fucking hot today. I like the woman you're becoming just like I'm sure you do."

Her cheeks burned. She hadn't meant the retort she'd thrown back at Claire. It had just flowed out. Roman was right. She did like the woman she was becoming; it was exhilarating being care-free, not caring about hurting one's feelings even though hers was constantly bruised without a care in the world.

"So Roman, Stacy," Aunt Emma began. "How are the wedding preparations coming along?"

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Instantly, Stacy's eyes met her mother's. Their conversation from a few days ago entered her mind. She wondered if her mother still thought she didn't love Roman. If she knew what was actually going on, she'd laugh at her. She was doing it for her anyway. She could very well laugh if she wanted.

"Uh..." She licked her lips. God, what was she going to say? She hadn't prepared for wedding questions.

"Stop doing that." Roman breathed out through his teeth. "It's distracting."

He turned his gaze away to face her mother. He lifted the hand he was holding to rest on top the table. "Stacy and I have decided to wait."

Heather raised a brow. "Why?"

"Personally, I don't want to spend any more time without having this amazing woman as my wife." Roman interlaced his hand with hers, raising it to his lips and placing a kiss on her burning skin. "But Stacy wanted-and I gladly accepted-to wait till September fifth."

Aunt Phoebe hummed. "But it's just March. Isn't that such a long-❞

"My birthday," Heather whispered.

"What?" Aunt Phoebe. "Your-Oh. "

Cue the 'awws' and 'wows."

Stacy was wide eyed. It seemed like every time the family was gathered at the dining, there was always something new to find out. How on earth had Roman known her mother's birthday? She'd never told him. In fact, she forgot sometimes. "Oh boo-hoo," Claire muttered from across the table, rolling her eyes.

"Keep rolling your eyes. Maybe you'll find a brain back there." She said.

"You're so full of shit." Claire retorted.

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"Oh my God, you guys. Olivia in the room, please." Benjamin said with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry, Benji." Stacy said, giving him a look apology. Claire just brought out the worst in her. She hardly recognized herself anymore.

"So Mitch and I thought we would go into town today to do something by ourselves without all our women breathing down our necks. You boys in?" George spoke up for the first time, looking around the table. "That's alright," The twins agreed.

Roman nodded. "Sure thing."

"Matt?" Mitch asked.

"Why not?" Matt agreed somewhat reluctantly.

"Great. I was thinking we could all go upstairs and get ready, and I'll meet you back here in thirty minutes?"

The men agreed and breakfast ended. They'd successfully found a way to get rid of them. How nice.

"Can I come with, Roman?" Olivia asked, her eyes wide.

"I wish you could, sweetheart but this is just for the men. I'm sorry, sweetie."

The expression on her face could have been safely called despondent. But when Stacy looked at Benjamin, he had a smug smile on his face. She chuckled. The man was the definition of petty.